Man arrested for home invasion

A THIRD suspect in an alleged home invasion and bashing in Bent Street, South Grafton, last November was arrested by Grafton detectives in Queensland at the weekend.

The man, Ashley Jack Cullen, 19, of Carter’s Ridge, was in Grafton court yesterday facing a total of 11 charges including four counts of aggravated indecent assault in company, three counts of take/detain in company to get advantage, two counts of aggravated sexual assault, one of robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering and committing a serious indictable offence with a weapon.

Cullen did not apply for bail and was formally refused it. He was led in and out of the court by Corrective Services officers.

Grafton detectives travelled to Queensland to make the arrest after being alerted to Cullen’s whereabouts by Queensland police.

His case was adjourned to next Monday.

The charges of Cullen’s co-accused, Travis Braam and Andrew Mark Stewart, were mentioned in court yesterday and both matters were stood over until June 6.

Stewart, who is facing a total of 15 charges, was arrested and held in custody shortly after the incident.

He faced court via video link-up while Braam, who is facing at least 16 charges, did not appear when his matters were mentioned.

Police will allege the three men broke into a South Grafton home and assaulted an elderly man.

Police arrested two of the men within days before launching a manhunt for Cullen, including the release of an Identikit.